The first week of April was packed with stocks going Ex-Dividend, as 88 companies made their mark following first quarter earnings. The rest of April slows down a bit, but still provides plenty of stocks with upcoming Ex-Dividend dates (at least 124). Listed below you will find the ticker, company name, Ex-Dividend Date, Pay Date, payout amount, price and yield of these stocks. Additionally, after the table you will find commentary on a handful of these April Ex-Dividend stocks.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) has long been deemed a “dividend champion” having increased its dividend for 39 straight years. Recently this global health care manufacturer raised its quarterly dividend from $.44 to $.48, a 9% increase. The 65% payout ratio appears to be in line and the 3.8% current yield is definitely enticing. Moreover, ABT has been able to grow its dividend by an average of about 10% for the last 5 years. A strong mix of an above average current yield and solid growth prospects should put this company on anyone’s short list. ABT goes Ex-Dividend on April 13th and is payable on May 16th.

Buckle Inc. (NYSE:BKE) doesn’t appear to be in the same league as sustainable dividend champion ABT. This casual apparel retailer sports a current yield of just 1.8%. But, payments have been increasing since 2003 albeit haphazardly. The real trouble comes in with the 115% payout ratio and the recent downgrade by KeyBanc Capital Markets from “buy” to “hold”. So why mention the April 13th Ex-Dividend date? BKE has paid a special dividend at the end of each of the last 3 years, totaling $2.50, $2.00 and $2.20. This represents a huge increase over its quarterly $.20 payout and shows that the board isn’t afraid to return value to the shareholders when they can (The 43% insider stake doesn’t hurt either). BKE might not be a big income turn on today, but keep a lookout if the financials get better by year end.

Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM) is somewhat new to the dividend scene, but has already earned the title of “dividend challenger” having increased its payouts for 7 straight years. True, it faces tough competition from McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) and Wendy’s (NYSE:WEN), but YUM’s diversified holdings of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long John Silver do offer a quick bite that’s outside of the burger realm. The 2% current yield doesn’t scream income, but the 32% 5 year dividend growth rate does yell growth opportunity. The 42% payout ratio suggests both sustainability and the ability to keep growing with emerging markets. YUM also goes Ex-Dividend on April 13th.

Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL) is one of the most stable dividend payers, having increased their payout for each of the last 48 years. The 2.8% current yield is reasonable and the 5 year dividend growth of 13% justifies its value in the future. This major consumer products company recently bumped up its quarterly dividend by 9% to $.58 and has an Ex-Dividend date of April 21st. The 54% payout ratio appears to be balanced, as CL has steady increased dividends while recently acquiring higher margin Sanex in Europe.

Getting in by the Ex-Dividend Date can be enticing, but remember that dividends will already be priced into the stock price. Picking companies should be based on future prospects and individual investment strategies; not on the idea of a quick payout.

Which April Ex-Dividend stocks do you like?

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.